by Nathan

Yesterday, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) left Yokosuka Harbor in Japan for her final voyage in active service. Commissioned in 1961, the Kitty Hawk has been an elder statesman of the Navy for many years.

I love this ship, if for anything because it flew, and still flies the First Naval Jack. "Don't Tread On Me" is her motto, and she wears it proudly.

I post this today, if anything, because her presence in Japan is remarkable. Not because she served against our Japanese enemies. But because she served alongside our Japanese allies, and was sent off with fanfare and applause. What a beautiful picture of the good that can be accomplished by the US Military eh?

I leave you now with a photo from her leaving Japan. Leave a comment as to what it says to you. It's pretty darned powerful to me.